Odyssey still a top family hauler

Honda’s redesigned 2011 Odyssey minivan is on its way to dealers for a Sept. 30 debut, with prices ranging from $27,800 (plus $780 freight) for the base LX model to $43,250 for the top-of-the-line Touring Elite version, the automaker said.

Those prices represent an increase of about $840 on average from the 2010 model and are considerably higher than those for the also redesigned Toyota Sienna van, the Odyssey’s main competitor. Prices for the 2011 Sienna range from $24,260 to $39,770 (plus $800 freight).

The Odyssey is the best-selling minivan on the market, however, except when the sales of the two models from Chrysler Group — the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country — are lumped together. Those vans have starting prices lower than the Odyssey’s, as well.

But there are those who would argue strongly that the Odyssey is worth whatever Honda charges for it. There’s no question that this company knows how to create the quintessential family hauler, and the Odyssey is no exception. The vehicle, to put it simply, has all the bases covered, from powertrain to cup holders.

“The all-new Odyssey is set to once again redefine the minivan segment as the ultimate family vehicle,” Erik Berkman, vice president of corporate planning and logistics for American Honda Motor Co., said in announcing the pricing.

“Never before has so much space, functionality and comfort been combined with this much style, technology and fuel economy,” he said.

Other models in the lineup include the EX ($30,950), EX-L ($34,450), EX-L with navigation ($36,450) and the Touring ($40,755).

Under the hood of all models is a 3.5-liter V-6 engine rated at 248 horsepower and 250 foot-pounds of torque.

EPA fuel-economy ratings are 18 mpg city/27 highway for the LX and EX models, which come with a five-speed automatic transmission, and 19/28 for the Touring models, which have a six-speed automatic.

Special features include an ultrawide rear entertainment system with split-screen capability so two programs can be shown at one time; and there is even a small refrigerator, which Honda calls a “cool box,” that works when the engine is running.

The fourth generation of the Odyssey, it made its debut at the Chicago auto show in February. The roof is more steeply raked toward the rear than the previous model, making the vehicle 1.6 inches lower.

Besides the lower stance, the 2011 Odyssey is 1.4 inches wider than the 2010 model and has improved aerodynamics to help boost fuel economy. The new model is 202.8 inches long, 78.5 inches wide and 68.3 inches high, with a 118.1-inch wheelbase.

Improvements inside were designed to make the vehicle more family-friendly, Honda says. That extends to better outward visibility — even for those sitting in the third row.

For the ultimate in Odyssey style, the Touring Elite comes with high-intensity-discharge headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, 12.6-inch ventilated front disc brakes, power side mirrors with integrated turn signals and a power-operated tailgate.

Interior features of the Elite include an AM/FM/XM/CD premium audio system with 12 speakers, the Honda voice-activated navigation system, the rear entertainment center, a 110-volt power outlet for game consoles and other electronic devices such as laptops, a media tray with integrated cup holder, a removable first-row center console with hidden storage, a 10-way power driver’s seat with memory, enough anchors for up to five child safety seats, a total of 15 cup holders, and second- and third-row sunshades. There’s even a ring to hold a trash bag.

Other new features for the Odyssey include projector-beam headlights, LED taillights and form-fit fog lights.

The whole family can be accommodated in the Odyssey, which has room for up to eight passengers, depending on the seating configuration. The middle row has two captain’s chairs with a smaller seat in between that can be folded out of the way to create a pass-through to the rear seat.

At the rear, the third row has Honda’s “Magic Seat,” which has a 60/40 split and can be folded completely flat into the floor either in sections or all together to create a larger cargo area when the seat isn’t needed for passengers.

Among standard safety features are four-wheel antilock disc brakes, electronic stability control with traction control, front seat-mounted side air bags and roof-mounted side-curtain air bags for all three rows.

As with all Honda vehicles, the Odyssey has the company’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, designed to lessen its impact on pedestrians and other vehicles in the event of a collision.

Honda assembles the Odyssey its plant near Birmingham, Ala. Design and engineering work were done in California and Ohio, rather than in Japan.